Emmanuele Cicolini was born on 2nd February, 1848, in Terzolas, Trentino, which at the time was Austria, but became Italy some years later when the border changed. Having made the decision to migrate to Australia, he left his home and made his way to Hamburg, where he boarded the “Fritz Reuter” on 5th October, 1878, for the four month journey to Brisbane. It would have been a very difficult journey, as there was Typhoid on board, and 30 people lost their lives before the ship reached Moreton Bay, where they were quarantined at Peel Island before being allowed to disembark on 7th February, 1879.
There is no way of knowing why he made the decision to travel south towards the Manning district, but it is thought that he may have travelled by boat down the coast, perhaps to the entrance of the Manning. It would seem that he may have heard of the availability of timber getting work in the area, where there were forests containing precious Red Cedar and Beech trees.
In those days, the Government had a settler’s scheme whereby parcels of land were granted to applicants, under the condition that they would fence the land, build a dwelling on it, and plant a crop within the first 12 months. Emmanuele’s grant was in Koppin Yarratt Road, and the house that is presently standing at 150 Koppin Yarratt Road, is actually the third home built on that spot for the family of Emmanuele.
In 1886, Emmanuele married Mary Jane Walsh. Mary had arrived in Australia from Ireland, with her parents and siblings in 1877/78, and was living in Langley Vale when she met Emmanuele. They had five children, Caroline, John, Raymond, Horace and Olive. Emmanuele was one of the group of men who had been trying to get a school in Upper Lansdowne for a number of years before their petitioning finally succeeded in 1895. He was listed on that petition as farmer and timber getter, and he remained on the farm until he died on 3rd December, 1913, just 4 years before his son, Raymond, was fatally injured in France during WW1 and died of his wounds on 3rd June, 1918. Mary Jane (Granny) continued to live on the farm and died at home on 7th January 1960. Emmanuele and Mary Jane are buried in the Lansdowne Cemetery.
MARY JANE (GRANNY) CICOLINI (1871 – 1960)
One of the early pioneers of the district, and the longest serving Secretary of the Upper Lansdowne P & C Association was Mary Jane (Granny) Cicolini.
She came to Australia in 1878 with her parents, Patrick and Jane Walsh and lived at Langley Vale, attending Koppin Yarratt School at Central Lansdowne. She married Emmanuel Cicolini before turning fifteen and moved with him to their property at Upper Lansdowne.
She soon became highly involved in the affairs of the community with her husband, being one of the instigators of the new school at Upper Lansdowne. She also took on the role of district nurse and midwife, travelling many miles in her horse and sulky to deliver the district’s babies. Most of the over 50’s in the area were delivered by Granny.
She also became involved in the establishment of the Community Hall, and was pictured laying the foundation stone of the hall on 21 February 1925. Her three sons served in WW1 and one son Raymond Horace Cicolini died from wounds he received in France on 3 June 1918. Mary also had 2 daughters Olivia and Caroline.
Once the hall was built, then followed the wonderful country Balls, and Mary Jane was always highly involved in the catering – who can forget those suppers!
Most of the single teachers at the school boarded with Mary Jane and she kept up a correspondence with these people until her death.
Mary Jane also had the honour of opening the second bridge on Mt Coxcombe Road in the mid 1930s.
Mary Jane died in her home at Upper Lansdowne in 1960 at the age of 88 and is buried in the Lansdowne Cemetery along with her husband Emmanuelle.
Their children were:
Caroline Jane born 1887 died 1972 married George T Bidner in 1927. They did not have children.
John (Jack) born 12 October 1889 died 1 April 1971 married Mary Elizabeth Payne in 1920. They had two sons, John (also known as Jack) and Raymond
Raymond Horace born 1892 died 3 June 1918 in WW1, France
Horace Raymond born 1894 died 1976 married Elizabeth Cunningham in 1920. They had five children: Leo, Paul, ,Margaret, Daniel and Joan.
Olive Elizabeth born 1897 died 26 January 1973 married Thomas Robert Jobson Atkins in 1916. Thomas died in a tragic accident a week before their first child Thomas Robert was born. Olive then married Frederick Desmond Payne in 1926 and they had six children: Gregory, Mary, Desmond, Brian, Clare and Raymond.
Compiled by Gloria Crittenden – March 2025 with the help of Clare Coleman (granddaughter)